East Jersey

East Jersey was an English colony that existed from 1674 to 1702, with Perth Amboy serving as its capital. Now located in eastern New Jersey, East Jersey was created from the land conquered from the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, with the English conquering New Amsterdam in 1664 and settling the region with New Englanders, Long Islanders, and West Indians. Elizabeth and Newark would develop a strong Puritan character. In 1675, East Jersey was partitioned into Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, while Shrewsbury, Middletown, Piscataway, Woodbridge, Elizabeth, Newark, and Bergen were the seven original established towns. By 1684, East Jersey had a population of 3,500 people from 700 families, in addition to African slaves. In 1702, East and West Jersey were amalgamated into New Jersey.